Biomaterials for enhanced implant-host integration
The present disclosure provides patterned biomaterials having organized cords and extracellular matrix embedded in a 3D scaffold. According, the present disclosure provides compositions and applications for patterned biomaterials. Pre-patterning of these biomaterials can lead to enhanced integration of these materials into host organisms, providing a strategy for enhancing the viability of engineered tissues by promoting vascularization.
1. A patterned biomaterial for implantation in a subject comprising at least one cord, formed by embedding cells in a naturally-derived or synthetic scaffolding with a pre-specified architecture and spatially organizing the cells within the scaffolding, wherein the at least one cord comprises endothelial cells, wherein the structure of the patterned biomaterial has a pre-specified architecture that acts as a template and spatial guidance for a subject's vasculature to invade and integrate at least partially within the at least one cord upon implantation.
2. The patterned biomaterial of claim 1 , further comprising an extracellular matrix or a physically solid scaffold at least partially encapsulating the at least one cord.
3. The patterned biomaterial of claim 2 , wherein the extracellular matrix scaffold comprises fibrin.
4. The patterned biomaterial of claim 2 , wherein the extracellular matrix scaffold further comprises at least one cell type.
5. The patterned biomaterial of claim 4 , wherein the at least one cell type comprises hepatocytes, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, or a combination thereof.
6. The patterned biomaterial of claim 4 , wherein the at least one cell type comprises endothelial cells.
7. The patterned biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the naturally-derived or synthetic scaffolding comprises collagen.
8. The patterned biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the at least one chord is branched.
9. The patterned biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the at least one chord comprises a plurality of chords.
10. The patterned biomaterial of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of cords are formed in a parallel arrangement within the naturally-derived or synthetic scaffolding.
11. The patterned biomaterial of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of cords are formed in a nonparallel arrangement within the naturally-derived or synthetic scaffolding.
12. The patterned biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cord is cylindrical, Y-shaped, or T-shaped.
13. The patterned biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cord is solid or hollow in cross-section.
14. The patterned biomaterial of claim 1 , further comprising at least one cluster of cells.
15. The patterned biomaterial of claim 14 , wherein the at least one cluster of cells comprises hepatocytes, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, or a combination thereof.
16. An ex vivo patterned biomaterial for implantation in a subject, comprising one or more endothelial cell cords, wherein the one or more cords is at least partially embedded in a naturally-derived or synthetic scaffolding, wherein the structure of the patterned biomaterial has a pre-specified architecture that acts as a template and spatial guidance for a subject's vasculature to invade and integrate at least partially within the one or more endothelial cell cords upon implantation.
17. The ex vivo patterned biomaterial of claim 16 , wherein the scaffolding is a naturally-derived scaffolding.
18. The ex vivo patterned biomaterial of claim 16 , wherein the scaffolding is a synthetic scaffolding.
19. A patterned biomaterial post-implantation in a subject, comprising one or more endothelial cell cords, wherein the one or more cords is at least partially embedded in a naturally-derived or synthetic scaffolding, and wherein the subject's vasculature has invaded and integrated at least partially within the one or more endothelial cell cords.